Lock for loose-leaf binders.



No. 840,963. l PATENTED JAMO, 1907.

' A. I. RISVSER & O. P. P. T; REINHARDT. 1

LOOK FOR LOOSE LEAP BINDERS.

INVENTORS pm: NoRRls PETERS ca., wAsHlNaoN, n. c.

. at the lower end thereof.

UNITED sTATns ARTHUR l. R'ISSER AND OTTO F. F. T. REINHARDT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGNORS TO ROBERT H. CARNAHAN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan.'8, 1907.

Application le'rl April 17, 1905. Serial No.'255',914.

of Illinois, have invented certain new and 'useful Improvements in Looks for Loose- Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in locks for loose-leaf binders; and the object thereof is to afford simple and effective means for securing the two telescoping sections in any position within the scope of the movement of one section relative to the other. We accomplish this object by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section through the locking mechanism. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the locking mechanism on the line a: of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the revolving barrel, showing the binding-balls in connection therewith. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the yoke, and Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one of the guideposts. f

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and, referring now to the same, 1 and 2 are binding-sections, one telescoping the other, and 3 represents guide-tubes secured to the section 1, which telescope corresponding guide-tubes 4, the latter being secured tothe section 2. A spring 5 is arranged within each pair ofl said tubes 3 and 4 and acts oppositely against said -sections 1 and 2, and thereby tends to hold said sections distent.

The lock consists of a tube 6, which depends centrally from the top of the section 1 and is xed thereto, and in the lower end of said tube 6 is a bushing 7, which has a gradually-tapering bore with the lesser diameter The said tube 6 extends into a corresponding tubular shield 8, which is fixed at its lower end to the section 2, and said tube 6 is longitudinally movable therein. 9 is a revoluble tube having at its top a flange 10, in which are made diarnetrically opposite slots 11 and also diametrically opposite lugs 12, which project downward from the und er side of said flange. The said tube 9 extends down through a yoke 13, which is secured in the top of the section 1,

adjacent the top of the tube 6, so that the tube 9 will range centrally within the tube 6. The said yoke 13 has an internal flange 14, in the upper surface of which are made diametrically opposite depressions 15, which are adapted to receive the lugs 12 on the collar of the tube 9 when said tube is suitably turned. To the vlower end of said tube is secured a head 16, which has an annular flange 17 and a central vertical bore throughout its length. Recesses 18 are made in said head, which extend through its sides into its bore, and into each of the recessesis loosely arranged a binding-ball 19. When the tube 9 is in place, the head 16 extends through the bushing 7, and said balls come into contact with the tapering wall of said bushing, so that when the tube 9 is moved downward the said'balls will become directed inwardly. A stem 20 is rigidly fxed at its lower end to the section 2and extends centrally throughv said shield 8 and head 16, and when said balls are pressed inwardly, as above indicated, they will bind in connection with the stem 20 and prevent the sections 1 and 2 from spreading. A spring 21 is arranged within the tube 6 and external of the tube 9 and acts against the lower face of they flange 14 on said yoke and upon the upper face of the iiange 1.7 on said head. A

projection 22 extends from the lower end of i the head 16 a short distance beneath the bushing 7 and is adapted to limit the upward movement of said head and tube 9 rela tive to the tube 6 by coming into contact with thelower end of the bushing 7.

In the operation of this invention the tube 9 is turned by means of akey 23, the nibs 24 of which engage in the slots 11 in the flange of said tube, and when turned in the yoke until the lugs 12 register with the depression 15 the tube 9 will move slightly downward because of the action of the spring 21. Thus the balls 19 are accordingly carried downward by the -head 16, so as to become wedged between the inner wall of the bushing 7 and the adjacent surface of the stem 20. If pres- IOO sure is now applied to the upper section 1, so

tube 9 vis turned so that the lugs 12 are moved from said depressions and onto the upper face of the flange 14 of said yoke, the

tube 9 and head 16 connected therewith will i stem 20 and prevent said sections from' spreading.

Having 'described our invention, what we claim as new,l and desireI to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. In locking mechanism for loose-leaf binders, two bindingsections, one telescoping the other guide-tubes secured to each of said sections, the guide-tubes of one section telescoping the 'corresponding tubes of' the other section; springs within said guidetubes and acting against saidsections to dis-- tend the same; a tube secured to the upper section and having a bushing in connection with its lower end, the bore of said bushing being tapered downwardly;'a yoke secured to said upper section'coincident with said tube and having an internal flange provided with diametricallyV opposite depressions in its upper face; a revoluble tube extending down through said yoke and the former tube, having an external flange at its top with diametrically opposite slots and also diametrically opposite lugs which depend from its under face, the said lugs being adapted to enter the said depressions in said yoke; a head fixed at the lower end of' the revoluble tube, having a central vertical bore and radial recesses extending through its sides into its bore a series of binding-balls arranged respectively in said recesses; a stem fixed at its lower end to said lower section and ing the other; a fixed tube depending from' the upper of said sections; a bushing secured in the lower end of said fixed tube, Ithe bore of which tapers downwardly; a yoke secured to said upper section coincident with said fixed tube, and having an internal fiange provided with diametrically opposite depressions in the upper face; a revoluble tube extending down through said yoke'and fixed tube, having an external flange at its top' j ing and stem when said revoluble tube is in lowermost position relative to said fixed tube; and a spring acting to hold the revoluble tube downward.

3. In locking mechanism for loose-leaf binders, two binding-sections, one being movable relative to the other; a'xed tube depending'from one of said sections; a stem fixed to the other section and extending cen? trally into said fixed tube; a bushing having a downwardly-tapered bore in fixed relation with said tube; a revoluble tube within said fixed tube with means in connection therewith for adjusting the same longitudinally therein; a head in fixed relation with the revoluble tube extending in said bushing; a series of binding-balls in loose connection with said head adapted to become bound between said bushing and stem when the revoluble tube Iis properly adjusted, and a spring acting against said head tending to force said balls in binding position.

4. In locking mechansim for loose-'leaf binders, two binding-sections, one being movable relative to the other; a fixed tube depending from one of said sections and having a taper-bored bushing; a stem in connec- IOO tion with the other section and extending through said bushing into said fixed tube; a revoluble tube within said xed tube having locking means in connection therewith to en gage said stem to prevent said sections from moving from one another; and means to adjust said revoluble tube to thereby release said locking mechanism.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR i. RissRR. f oTTo ii. R. fr. RRINRARDT.

Witnesses:

ROBT. A. ETIE, J. E. S'rownLL.

IOS 

